Using Rhetoric to define a character as a monster
Goal: Define a character from a movie/story plot as a monster.
You will build from your reading of Jeffrey Cohen’s “Monster Culture” and use one of the 7 theses to support your definition.
You will be doing more than giving a summary of the movie/ book/ TV show plot. Instead, you will use specific examples from your character’s story and tie them to Cohen’s thesis of choice. Your essay should continually refer to both Cohen and your character’s story. You shouldn’t summarize Cohen’s article at the beginning of the paper then never mention it again. Instead, each point should refer back to the article and use the article’s claims.
Finally, let me say it again, you should NOT give me only a summary of the character’s story. Instead, explain how pieces of the story show who the monster is.
For example, if you were to analyze Star Wars, you could briefly describe the scene of Darth Vader strangling the guy in the meeting, but that summary needs to be followed by how that scene proves your definition of Vader as a monster, showing Darth Vader to be monstrous and connecting to Cohen’s thesis of choice.
In order to complete this assignment, you will need to:
Clearly tell me who is your monster and how they fit that definition based on your reading of Cohen’s article, “Monster Culture.” (This means you must cite Cohen somewhere, somehow in the paper in order to fulfill the assignment.)
Describe and explain how this definition of monster functions in this story. Give examples of the story and use Cohen’s words for support.
3.Use evidence as examples from the story that supports or illustrates your claims & make sure you explain (analyze) the evidence.
Ultimately, you will be writing an essay that explains how the character’s story uses culture to create the monster in the text/ film/ show. Thus, your paper must reflect your understanding of Cohen’s main points and demonstrate your engagement with the article.
Formatting:
1) 3-6 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font.
2) Number your pages in the correct format
3) Correct MLA or APA citation format for both in-text citation and in the works cited page
** Your works cited page WILL include Cohen & your book/ movie/ TV show- You do not need any additional sources, but if you use them you must cite them correctly.
4) TITLE your paper with an interesting, descriptive title that clearly signals what your paper is about. “Paper 2” and “Monster paper” are not good titles, but this is vivid and apt: “’I rule the sea”: The Monster Lurking below the Surface in Jaws”
5) Heading: The heading should include your name, instructor’s name, the name & number of the class, and the date updated to reflect the last day you worked on it.